Drainage tube with clot extractor



`March 2, 1954 c. F. REcKLlTls DRAINAGE TUBE WITH cLoT ExTRAcToR Filed oct. 24. 1951 INVENTOR. CHARLES E REOKL//S A TTRVEYS s .w .mi .msi 1v v n S n om wm mw IVM Patented Mar. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE DRAINAGE TUBE WITH oLo'r EXTRACTOR charles F. Recklitis, Mahanoy City, ra.

Application October 24, 1951, Serial No. 252,888

6 Claims. l

This invention relates to embalming instruments and in particular to a drainage tube with a clot extractor.

Upondeath the blood leaves the arteries completely and is found only in the veins. the blood supply is WithdrawnV from the veins while an embalming fluid is being injected into the arteries, discoloration and puffing of the body will result.

In the usual embalming practice an elongated tube is inserted into one of the large and readily accessible veins. The axillary vein is best for this purpose, because when the arm is extended there is alignment with the subclavian vein, so that the tube may be introduced to a point near the junction with the internal jugular vein. At this point, the blood vessels are materially larger than the tube and provide good clearance for a free cwof blood.

The operation is quite simple when the blood flows freely without interruption. In some cases, however, large, soft clots and stringy iibrin are found, which if not removed will clogthe inlet of the drainage tube and prevent the flow of blood. As it is practically impossible to remove the drainage tube for cleaning and reinsert it in the vein, the removal of blood clot and iibrination without withdrawal of the drainage tube presents a very important problem.

While various types of implements have been proposed and used for this purpose, none of them completely solves all the problems involved. A plunger mechanism that must be completely withdrawn to a certain point to insure a normal ow, which withdrawal causes an undue elongation of the tube making it inconvenient to handle, is a 'source of continued annoyance to the embalmer during operation.- Where the complete withdrawal of the plunger mechanism leaves the tube opening completely exposed to the sudden onrush of blood following clot extraction, there is usually considerable danger of spillage.

Those implements for breaking up the clot at the inlet end of the tube without its removal often involve risk in use because failure to accomplish this requires removal from the vein of the drainage tube With the almost insurmountable diftlculty of either reinsertion or establishing an alternative discharge ow of the blood supply. i

The general purpose of this invention is to provide a drainage tube. with a clot extractor constructed and arranged to control the outlet nowv of blood during insertion of the implement Unless in the vein and withdrawal of a clot through the drainage tube while the implement is inserted, and to offer a minimumof obstruction and interference to the embalmer in use.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a drainage tube having a rotatable and slidable inner tube providing the clot extracting means and also .the valve means for controlling the discharge of blood through the tube. Another inventive object resides in the provision of a drainage tube with clot extracting means .that provides for vein expansion, substantially free normal flow of blood, and adequatecontrol of blood discharge during a clotremoval operation.

It is a further purpose of this invention to provide a simple, easily cleanable, relatively short in overall length drainage tube with clot extractor. y

These and other objects contributing to efliciency and satisfaction in use will be. more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:`

A Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the embalming implement of this invention, with the parts in the relative positions occupied when the implement has been inserted in a .vein and blood is being discharged under normal conditions;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the right-hand portion of the implement as shown in Fig. 1, with certain parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the forward or left end of the implement of Fig. 1, but showing the relation of certain parts either for insertion into a vein or the initial movement of clot withdrawal while the implement is in the vein;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional View of the implement taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

The embalming implement illustrated in the drawing is of all metal construction, with the parts being formed preferably from stainless steel where practical.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this implement comprises an outer tube lil receiving in slidable and rotatable relation an inner tube I2 that is substantially coextensive therewith. A delivery or outlet tube I4 is secured in rearward angular relation to the rearward end portion of outer tube lill by means of an integrally connected sleeve I6, which sleeve may befbrazed or otherwise secured on the outside of tube I0. f A It will be notedin Fig. 2 that the outer tube I is formed with an aperture or opening I8 of oval shape aligned with an adjacent opening 20 formed by the inner end of the outlet tube I4. The other end of the angularly disposed outlet tube I4 may have a nipple formation 22 for retaining a rubber tube leading therefrom to a collecting vessel. The corresponding end portion of the inner tube I2 is formed with an alignable oval opening 24 that is relatively movable to act as a valve controlling discharge through the delivery tube I4.

In the illustrative implement the rearward end of the outer tube IG has a union sleeve 26 secured as by brazing over the end portion thereof. The sleeve 23 has an outer end comprising an externally threaded portion 28 for receiving a retaining cap 3D formed with an internally threaded end portion 32, and a bore p0rtion 34 slidably accommodating the inner tube I2. A knobbed end formation 36 secured to the end of the inner tube I2 provides abutment means for limiting the insertion of the tube I2 within the tube I0 to a position in which openings 25 and 24 are aligned as shown.

At the open or forward end, the inner tube I 2 has a plurality of spaced, clot-engaging, spring lingers 38 formed integrally therewith and extending in a generally longitudinal direction. ,It is -essential that these three resilient fingers or prongs 38 have good springiness so that they will open from the retracted position within tube IU shown in Fig. 3 to the extended or expanded position illustrated by Fig. l. The outer end portions of the spring fingers 38 are arcuate and outwardly curved with the end extremities inturned for gripping and withdrawing as clearly shown.

In order to facilitate initial insertion of the forward end of the implement in the slit made in the vein to be used for draining, the open end of the outer tube end I I) is formed with a fairly sharp beveled edge.

It is believed that the advantages of this novel form of drainage tube with clot extractor can best be demonstrated by a detailed description of the manner in which it is to be used.

When the outer drainage tube I I) is inserted in a vein slit, the spring fingers 38 will retract and compress within the outer or forward portion end of tube IU as shown in Fig. 3. In this position there is appreciable opening for flow through the inner tube I2, as will be understood from a consideration of Fig. 4. In this relation of the fingers 38, the inner tube I2 will have been withdrawn by means of the knob 3G so that it extends only approximately one inch beyond the closed end of the tube IIJ at the extremity of the retaining cap 30. Such withdrawing movement will have carried the opening 24 of the inner tube I2 past the opening 20 of the delivery tube I4 so that no discharge flow is possible.

After the tube I0 is within the vein, the inner tube I2 will be advanced or inserted by appropriate movement of the knobbed end 36 so that the spring fingers 38 will be released and permitted to expand in a way providing a substantial opening or cross section for the adjacent wall portion of the vein. The delivery or outlet tube I4 will at this time be opened to flow by longitudinal and angular alignment of the lateral opening 24 of the inner tube I2 therewith. This last mentioned relation is clearly shown in both Figs. 2 and 5.

It will also be understood that discharge flow can be controlled by suitable rotation of the inner tube I2, by means of the knob 36, to a p0- sition that will close the entrance to the outlet tube I4.

When a mass clot or brination lodges on the end portions and within the iingers 38, with a consequent reduction or stoppage of blood iiow, it can be readily removed by retraction of the inner tube I2, operated by the knob 36 with the outer tube III being retained in position in the vein by being held against movement with the inner tube I2. During this retraction or withdrawal movement of the inner tube I2, the opening of the outlet or delivery tube I4 will be closed by the solid wall portion of the inner tube I2, so that there will be complete and continuous control of blood flow, with no danger of spillage. The rearward or inner end of the outer tube I 0 is closed at all times, when the inner tube opening 24 is Within the outer tube IQ and its sleeve 26 and cap 30 extension.

While in most instances there will be little or no ilow of blood through the implement when the inner tube I2 is clamped over a clot and being withdrawn toward the rearward end, as soon as the opening 24 in the side of the inner tube I2 is exposed beyond the retaining cap 351 it can readily be closed by application of a finger thereto. The distance from the inner end opening 28 of the outlet tube I4 to the rearward opening of the structure of outer tube I0 is made suciently greater than the length of the fingers 38 that a relatively large free iiow of blood can be established through the outlet tube I4 before the clot is removed from the relatively more remote and smaller opening of the bore portion 34.

These arrangements and operation provide all the required safe guard that is needed against spillage from the rearward end of the implement. It will also now be understood that when in the usual operation of the implement a clot is not being removed, the overall length and particularly the extent of rearward projection of the implement have been reduced to a minimum. The rotatable movement of the inner tube I2 affords control of the opening of outlet tube I4 in this condition of minimum rearward projection.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been fully described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous changes can be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from Athe spirit of this invention and the scope or the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. An embalming implement comprising an outer tube formed with a lateral opening in one end portion, an inner tube slidably and rotatably tted within the outer tube and formed with a lateral opening alignable with the lateral opening in the outer tube, the end of the inner tube adjacent its lateral opening being closed and its other end being open, and a plurality of resilient prongs on the other end of the inner tube constructed and arranged to be received within the outer tube and to project in expanded relation beyond the outer tube when said lateral openings are-aligned.

2. An embalming implement comprising an outer tube formed with a lateral opening in one end portion, a substantially coextensive inner tube slidably fitting and rotatable within the outer tube fand formed with a lateral opening alignable with the lateral opening in the outer tube, the end of the inner tube adjacent its lateral opening being closed and its other end being open, and a plurality of spring fingers integral With the other end of the inner tube, said fingers being constructed and arranged to retract within the outer tube and to project in expanded relation therebeyond when said lateral openings are aligned.

3. An embalming implement comprising an outer tube formed with a lateral opening adjacent one end, a substantially coextensive inner tube slidably fitting and rotatable within the outer tube and formed with a lateral opening alignable with the lateral opening in the outer tube, the end of the inner tube adjacent its lateral opening being closed and its other end being open, and a plurality of outwardly arcuate spring fingers with inturned ends on the other end of the inner tube and arranged to project in expanded relation beyond the outer tube when said lateral openings are aligned.

4. A drainage tube with clot extractor for embalming use, comprising an outer tube formed with a lateral opening in a rearward end portion, a delivery tube secured to the outer tube as an extension of the lateral opening therein, an inner tube having an opening alignable with the delivery tube slidably and rotatably mounted in the Outer tube and extending substantially the length thereof, the rearward end of the inner tube being closed and its forward end being open, and a plurality of resilient fingers on the forward end of the inner tube adapted to project beyond the forward end of the outer tube in expanded relation when said lateral openings are aligned.

5. A drainage tube with clot extractor for embalming use, comprising an outer tube formed with a lateral opening in one end portion and having the edge of its opposite end beveled, a delivery tube secured to the outer tube as an angular extension of the lateral opening therein, an inner tube having an opening alignable with the delivery tube slidably and rotatably mounted in the outer tube and extending substantially the length thereof, the end of the inner tube adjacent the delivery tube being closed and being provided with an abutment formation limiting insertion 0f the inner tube and its other end being open, and a plurality of spaced spring fingers formed on the other end of the inner tube and adapted to project beyond the beveled edge of the outer tube in expanded relation when the inner tube is inserted as far as permitted by said abutment formation.

6. A drainage tube with clot extractor for embalming use, comprising an outer tube formed With a lateral opening in a rearward end portion and having the edge of its forward end beveled, a delivery tube secured to the outer tube as a rearward angular extension of the lateral opening therein, an inner tube having an opening alignable with the delivery tube slidably and rotatably mounted in the outer tube and extending su-bstantially the length thereof, the rearward end of the inner tube being closed and being provided with an abutment formation limiting insertion thereof and its other end being open, and a plurality of spaced spring fingers having end portions with inturned ends formed on the forward end of the inner tube and Iadapted to project beyond the forward end of the outer tube in expanded relation when the inner tube is inserted as far as permitted by said abutment formation, said ngers being of less length than the distance of the lateral opening in the outer tube to the rearward end of said outer tube.

CHARLES F. RECKLITIS.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 995,288 Place June 13, 1911 998,339 Hollins July 18, 1911 1,168,115 Rueckert Jan. 11, 1916 1,945,656 Richards Feb. 6, 1934 2,137,635 Tyler Nov. 22, 1938 

